Delhi-based meat exporter Moin Qureshi detained at IGI Airport

An ED look out notice was pending against him while he has been involved in money laundering and other tax evasion cases.

ED alleged that Qureshi has sent “huge amounts of funds” through hawala transfer to Dubai, London and other destinations abroad.

The Enforcement Directorate on Saturday detained Delhi-based meat exporter Moin Qureshi at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. An ED look out notice was pending against him while he has been involved in money laundering and other tax evasion cases. They have now taken him into custody to interrogate about the money laundering case.

ED alleged that Qureshi has sent “huge amounts of funds” through hawala transfer to Dubai, London and other destinations abroad. The Income Tax department during its probe had found 11 bank lockers which were registered in names of his employees while they actually belong to Qureshi. The officials informed the reporters that immigration authorities had first alerted the Enforcement Directorate sleuths, following the interception of Qureshi.

However, airport officials said that Qureshi had told the authorities that he had the court’s permission to travel abroad. His legal team sent a fax regarding this issue to the airport, due to which immigration authorities had to let him travel. Under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the ED had registered a money laundering case against Qureshi last year. Qureshi is currently under the scanner for tax evasion and alleged hawala dealings.

Earlier, following the IT department’s sharing of the documents indicating the above alleged crimes, the ED had started investigating his case. The ED alleged Qureshi of sending huge amount of funds through hawala transfer to Dubai, London and few other overseas destinations in Europe. Earlier ED had raided Qureshi’s premises and questioned him. The Income Tax Department had also found out that Qureshi had 11 bank lockers in the names of his employees and associates, even though, they belonged to him. These lockers were under operation by the employees of the AMQ Group, which had Rs 11.2 crore in cash and over Rs 8.35 crore in jewellery.